National Football League

AP source: Lions and Ihedigbo agree to 2-year deal

Published Mar. 25, 2014 3:07 p.m. ET

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The Detroit Lions have ended their search for a safety.

James Ihedigbo and the Lions agreed to a two-year contract, according to a person familiar with negotiations. The person spoke Tuesday to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.

Ihedigbo made 99 tackles last year for Baltimore Ravens, ranking second on the team, and had three interceptions after not picking off one pass his previous five years in the league.

He started 12 games in 2011 for the New England Patriots and had 67 tackles, ranking fifth on the team. Ihedigbo made his NFL debut with the New York Jets during the 2008 season. He was cut by the Jets the previous year as an undrafted rookie, who went from being a walk-on to a standout at Massachusetts.

The Lions have been looking for a safety to start alongside Glover Quin, who they signed last year as a free agent, to replace Louis Delmas, who they released last season after drafting him 33rd overall in 2009.

The franchise has been busy this offseason.

The Lions hired coach Jim Caldwell after firing Jim Schwartz. They announced Martha Ford will take over her late husband's controlling interest in the team after William Clay Ford died two weeks ago.

Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate and ex-New Orleans Saints fullback Jed Collins are among the newcomers who have signed as free agents. Detroit also re-signed some players it really wanted to keep, including running back Joique Bell, tight end Brandon Pettigrew and center Dominic Raiola.

The Lions will likely shift their focus on contract talks with defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who is scheduled to count more than $20 million against the salary cap in 2014.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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Follow Larry Lage on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/larrylage

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